A/N 1: Again, rated T for some content.
A/N 2: Yeah, this is more about Rodney making the "first move" but I didn't want to do it with Jennifer creating the prom scene. Partially because I have no idea what high school Rodney might have attended and Jennifer was easy. There's only one high school in Chippewa Falls, WI. LOL And since fanfic only allows one font, Verdana, the "invitation" didn't come through in the elegant font I chose for it. Sigh! Not to mention the horrible eighties music they would have had to endure. LOL
How Jennifer Made the First Move
21 - The Prom
Rodney looked around but he was the only one in the science lab. He tapped the keys a few times and a live video feed popped up on the screen. Jennifer and one of her staff, Marie, were sitting on the Mess Hall patio. A few more taps on the keys and the cam zoomed in until the two women were all he could see. Sure, he knew it was wrong but he couldn't help himself. He just sat there watching her.
"You know, being a 'Peeping Tom' is illegal even in Canada." Rodney jumped and quickly closed his laptop.
"Stop sneaking up on people! You could have given me a heart attack, John."
"I wasn't sneaking." John lifted the cover and looked at the screen. "Risking jail time for a woman?"
"She's no ordinary woman, John. She's…Jennifer."
"Why don't you just ask her for a date? I'm sure she'll say yes."
"You might be but I'm not." He looked uncertain. "I want to impress her and have no idea how to go about it."
"Don't worry so much, Rodney," John told him, "You'll figure it out. And stop watching her like this. It's very stalker-ish and that's illegal almost everywhere. Not to mention more than a little disturbing. What would she say if she knew?"
He nodded and his friend slapped him on the back and departed. When he was sure John was gone he opened the laptop and shut down the video feed. A short time later a voice came over his radio. They spoke for a few minutes then disconnected. Next he sent emails to Teyla, John, Amanda, Carson, and Radek then got to work on a plan.
* * * * *
"Okay, so everyone knows what to do?" Rodney asked the group assembled. There were nods and murmurs of agreement. "Great. We'll need to order everything before the Daedalus leaves Earth in three days so let's get to it. And thanks for your, uh, help." They all filed out and Jennifer, who was passing by, stopped Rodney as he brought up the rear.
"I didn't know there was a staff meeting."
"Meeting? Oh, that? Th-th-that wasn't a meeting. It was, uh, uh, w-w-was there something I could do for you?"
She was suspicious but left it alone for the time being. "No, I was just passing by on my way to the gym."
"Um, sparring lessons?" I knew it! He thought. Ronon again. Every time he wanted to impress her Ronon was there being all…him. It wasn't fair!
"No. Laura Cadman is teaching me to tap dance."
"Oh, great. I, uh, thought she'd transferred back to Earth."
"She did but she's back for a few weeks. Don't worry. I'll make sure she stays out of your head this time." She patted his arm and winked. "See you later."
Eighteen Days Later
Jennifer was headed toward him looking like she had a full head of steam. He made a quick left turn down a side corridor in an attempt to lose her but it didn't work. When he reached the next junction there she was arms crossed and with that expression women use when a man has done something he's going to regret for a really, really long time.
"Oh, hey, Jennifer." He greeted her and kept right on walking. She had to run to keep up with him.
"Rodney, I want to talk to you."
"Sorry. Can't. Busy. Later."
She skidded to a halt. "Meredith Rodney McKay, come back here!"
He heard the implied threat in her voice and responded instinctively. He stopped, turned and quickly made his way back to her. "One: You don't have to shout. Two: I am not deaf. And three: What did I do to warrant the use of all three names?"
"That's what I'd like to know. People are whispering behind my back, they stop talking when I enter the room and look away when my eyes meet theirs. Something is going on and you, apparently, are the instigator. And that's all I can get out of anyone. 'Ask Rodney.' So now I'm asking. What's going on, McKay?"
He did his best to meet and hold her unwavering gaze but couldn't. "N-n-nothing is, uh, going on. W-w-why would you think something's going on?"
She crossed her arms and gave him a pointed stare. "Because you always stutter when you're nervous or hiding something. This time…I think its both."
"Yet another aspect of my personality that needs work." He murmured to himself. "I'm sorry but I can't tell you. At least not right now. I promise you will know everything in a-a-a few days."
She tapped her foot while she thought it over. "Okay. 72 hours, McKay."
He waved his hands in surrender. "Perfect! That's…perfect." Her long hair swirled around her as she made a quick turn and headed for the nearest transport.
* * * * *
Three days had gone by since Jennifer gave Rodney an ultimatum and he was late…again.
"Jennifer, do you have a few minutes?" Amanda asked. Marie was at her side.
"Uh, sure." She sighed to herself.
"Good." Said Marie. "Come with us." The women each took one of Jennifer's arms and steered her toward the exit. "Actually, we need more than a few minutes. We need a few…hours."
"What's going on?"
The women smiled. "You'll see."
* * * * *
Jennifer looked at herself in the mirror again and couldn't believe what had happened in so short a time. Her hair was piled elegantly on top of her head and she had diamond studs in her ears with a matching pendant, chosen from her jewelry box by Amanda and Marie. But the most amazing thing was the dress. It was an elegant spaghetti strap dress with overlapping layers of ivory chiffon. It floated around her like a cloud and had a matching scarf that could be used as a wrap. The shoes were the same color with three inch heels and were surprisingly comfortable for formal wear.
She picked up the star-shaped invitation imprinted in silver foil and read it again:
The Senior class of
Chippewa Falls Senior High School
requests the honor of your presence at
Senior Prom
Starry, Starry Nights
in the High School Gymnasium
(i.e. the Rec Room)
at 2000 tonight
The only person she'd told about not attending her senior prom was Marie but she claimed it was not her idea. Neither she nor Amanda would explain what was going on so Jennifer decided to just go with it for now.
Just before her friends left they told her that her date would be arriving shortly before 2000 to escort her to the "prom". The clock said that it was nearly that now. If he, whoever he was, didn't get here soon they would be "fashionably late" and she didn't like being late for anything.
Her door chimed bringing her out of her almost-trance. One last glance in the mirror then she palmed the sensor. Her breath tightened in her chest when she saw Rodney standing at her door in a classic tux. She let her gaze travel down to his feet and back up taking in the fact that his cummerbund and tie were the exact same color as her dress. He looked so…so him yet not him.
"Oh, Rodney, you look…wow."
"As do you." He opened the box he was holding. Inside was an ivory and burgundy flower that looked like an orchid, obviously a bloom native to New Athos. He helped her slip the wristband over her hand.
"Shall we?" He presented his arm and she hooked her hand through it.
* * * * *
Jennifer looked around the dimly lit Rec Room in wonder and astonishment. Stars and moons hung from the ceiling and decorated the walls. The tables held candles and a mirrored ball turned slowly reflecting the flickering flames making pinpoints of light dance and skip over all surfaces. Along one wall were two large obviously hand lettered signs. One of which was shaped like a black and red bird.
Welcome to the
Chippewa Falls
Senior High School
PROM NIGHT!!!
Cardinal Pride!
In the background music played. Women dressed in floor length gowns and men in tuxedoes were eating, drinking, dancing and laughing.
Jennifer bobbed her head a few times to a Bruce Springsteen tune then turned to Rodney. "What's this all about?"
"Well, you never went to your senior prom and neither did I so…" he spread his hands out to encompass the room at large, "the prom has come to us."
"Marie told you!"
He shook his head as if to refute her statement. "Yeah. You're not angry, are you?"
"No, of course not. It's…wonderful!"
* * * * *
One of Sheppard's men had appointed himself as the DJ. He did a great job of playing a variety of artists: Springsteen, Sarah McLauchlin, Celine Dion, The Cranberries, Aqua, and New Edition, among others.
More than an hour into the dance the lights dimmed and Savage Garden began to sing "I Knew I Loved You before I Met You." Jennifer nudged Rodney and he belatedly asked her to dance. He took her in his arms in the classic dance pose, left arm extended and right arm on her upper back. They began to sway to the beat, just a slight side to side movement.
Jennifer moved his hands to her waist and pulled him to her, their bodies touching from shoulder to knee. Her hands went around his neck and their cheeks touched. She leaned back to look him in the eye. "Kiss me, Rodney." He leaned down, their breath mingled, eyes closed and his lips touched hers. Warmth spread throughout their bodies making them both moan. "Let's get out of here."
"We can't. They haven't crowned the Prom Queen and King yet."
She grinned. "Well, we can't miss that now can we?"
* * * * *
It was past midnight when Rodney and Jennifer left the party. Each was wearing a plastic crown on their heads. Having been made for a child, his kept slipping so he pulled it off. "I was not surprised that you were chosen as the Prom Queen but I'm not exactly the poster child for Prom King."
His arm was around her shoulders and hers was around his waist. "You're right about that. I see you more as a knight in shining armor." She gave him a squeeze.
"So, you had a good time?"
"I had a great time! The only thing missing is the limo. I've always wanted to make out in the back of one." She admitted with a slight blush.
"Your wish is my command, Milady." He changed direction and headed for the nearest transport. The door closed and he touched the screen. A flash and they were at their destination.
"Where are we going?"
"The Jumper Bay. I know it's not exactly a limo but we can make due." He led her into the first open Jumper then closed the hatch and the door between compartments. They sat down, his arm around her and her head on his shoulder. "So where should I tell the driver to take us?"
"Doesn't matter." She leaned back to look into his face. His eyes were a dark, deep blue. "I don't think we'll be spending a lot of time looking at the view." She winked and brought one hand up to brush lightly along his cheek then through his hair to the back of his neck. She didn't need to urge him forward. He did that himself.
Jennifer moved her lips to the corner of his mouth, his cheek then his ear where she lightly nipped the lobe. He moaned and she whispered, "Oh, Rodney, I love you. Mmmm. And you love me."
"How, uh, how…"
"Doesn't matter. Just kiss me again. And don't stop until I tell you to."
He shifted around to pull her more fully into his arms and she ended up on his lap, her arms wrapped around him so tightly he thought she'd never let go. His mouth found hers and she sighed, making a whimpering sound in the back of her throat. It was the sexiest sound he'd ever heard.
Her hands clutched at his back, urging him closer. Does she want me to keep going? He wondered. When she touched his lips with her tongue he ceased to think at all.
Fin